Disabled pensioner Alan Barnes spends first day in new home after online appeal

Alan Barnes picked up the keys to his new house this morning. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

Alan Barnes has spent the first day in his new house after an online appeal raised more than £330,000 to relocate him.

The disabled pensioner from Gateshead was left too frightened to return to his previous home after he was attacked while taking his bins out.

Mr Barnes, who suffered a broken collarbone during the attack, was born with disabilities after his mother contracted German measles while she was pregnant.

The 67-year-old told ITV News Tyne Tees everything that has happened to him since January has been "a bit of a dream":

At Newcastle Crown Court earlier this month Richard Gatiss pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rob and was jailed for four years.

During the sentencing Judge Paul Sloan QC told Gatiss: "I have no doubt he [Barnes] was picked on by you because of his vulnerability".

Richard Gatiss. Credit: PA Wire

The 25-year-old, who is also from Gateshead, was caught after police retrieved DNA from a pocket on his victim's jacket.